Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

 ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

 

 

PSHB 1428

Brief Description: Revising provisions for electrical trainees.

 

Sponsors: Representatives Wood, Conway, Cooper and Kenney.


Brief Summary of Proposed Substitute Bill

    Increases the percentage of time that certified electricians must supervise certain noncertified electrical trainees during the first 4,000 hours of work.


Hearing Date: 2/6/03


Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).


Background:


The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) administers electrical contracting and certification laws. These laws establish qualifications for persons to take the examination to become certified journeyman electricians, and requirements for noncertified trainees to work in the electrical construction trade.

 

To qualify to take the examination to become a journeyman electrician, a person must have:

 

          Worked as a trainee in the electrical construction trade for at least 8,000 hours; or

 

          Successfully completed a state-approved apprenticeship program in the electrical construction trade.

 

Up to two years of a technical or trade school program may be substituted for two years of work experience.

 

A journeyman electrician must supervise a trainee working in the electrical construction trade as a journeyman electrician. The electrician must be on the same job site as the trainee at least 75 percent of each working day. The electrician may supervise one trainee, or up to four trainees enrolled in a technical or trade school program.

 

Persons who are found in violation of job site supervision requirements must be assessed penalties as specified in Department rules. Current penalties are as follows:


 

Failing to provide proper supervision to an electrical trainee

Working as an electrical trainee without proper supervision

First offense

$250

  $50

Second offense

$350

$100

Subsequent offenses

$500

$250


In addition, hours worked without proper supervision are not considered when determining whether a trainee qualifies to take the examination to become certified as an electrician.


Summary of Proposed Substitute Bill:


The job site supervision requirements, but not the ratio requirements, for noncertified electrical trainees who are employed by general electrical contractors performing nonresidential installations are modified. During the first 4,000 hours of work, a certified journeyman electrician must be on the same job site as the trainee 100 percent of each working day. Subsequently, the electrician must be on the same job site as the trainee at least 75 percent of each working day.

 

Trainees are not subject to fines for working without proper supervision if they are directed by their employers to work unsupervised or left unsupervised by their employers.


Appropriation: None.


Fiscal Note: Not requested.


Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.